Court Rules
district Judge
Verified Current7 days ago

Judge Trina L. Thompson

Northern District of California

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Filings (Attorney filings)

Required • Binding: Three Hole Punch

Filings (All filings)

Required

Adjournments

Notice Required
2Weeks

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Good Cause
  • 3
    Proposed New Dates
Notice Required
1Business Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Proposed Rescheduled Date
  • 3
    Affects Other Dates

Communication

Email

Chambers

TLTCRD@cand.uscourts.gov
Advance Notice Required
No Status Inquiries, Hours
Other

Chambers

Other

Chambers

Other

Chambers

Other

Chambers

Scheduling
Zoom

Chambers

Scheduling
No Prohibited Activities, Status Inquiries
Docket Notice

Chambers

Scheduling
Letter Ecf

Chambers

Technical Issues
No Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

TLTCRD@cand.uscourts.gov
Scheduling
No Status Inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryFormattingCommunicationTRO/InjunctionConferencesCourtroom ConductElectronicsLettersDiscoveryMemoranda

Detailed Drafting Rules

Communication ProtocolMandatory

No ex parte contact with judge; contact Courtroom Deputy for scheduling.

3. Counsel shall not attempt to contact Judge Thompson or her chambers staff by telephone, email, or any other ex parte means, but may contact her Courtroom Deputy, Robert McNamee, at (415) 522-2039 or TLTCRD@cand.uscourts.gov regarding scheduling or other appropriate matters.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecCOMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT
Communication ProtocolNote

Civil motions generally heard on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

6. Civil motions are generally heard on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

Other

Direct to: Chambers

Page 2
|SecSCHEDULING
Communication ProtocolNote

Civil case management conferences generally on Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

7. Civil case management conferences are generally conducted on Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

Other

Direct to: Chambers

Page 2
|SecSCHEDULING
Communication ProtocolNote

Civil pretrial conferences generally on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

8. Civil pretrial conferences are generally conducted on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Other

Direct to: Chambers

Page 2
|SecSCHEDULING
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Check scheduling notes online; don't set dates on full days; contact Courtroom Deputy for scheduling.

9. Counsel need not reserve motion hearing dates but should check Judge Thompson’s scheduling notes on the Court’s website to determine the next available law and motion calendar date. Motions may be reset as the Court’s calendar requires. The order of call on each calendar will be determined by the Court. Scheduling questions should be addressed to Judge Thompson’s Courtroom Deputy. Parties may not set hearing dates on days where the Court has indicated dates are full. Before setting a hearing, parties may check the Court’s scheduling notes where full motion hearing dates are listed: https://apps.cand.uscourts.gov/CEO/cfd.aspx?B318#Notes.

Other

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 2
|SecSCHEDULING
Document RequirementMandatory

Parties must file joint 3-page statement with particularized good cause to move scheduled dates.

Once the Court has entered a case schedule, the parties may not move the dates except by Court order. If the parties seek to move one of these dates, the parties must file a joint statement of no more than three pages proving particularized good cause for the requested change.

Document Type

Motion To Modify Schedule

Content & Formatting
Joint Statement Max 3 Pages
Particularized Good Cause Required
Page 4
|Sec16
Communication ProtocolMandatory

All case management conferences are conducted via Zoom videoconference unless specially set.

Unless specially set, all initial and further case management conferences will be conducted through Zoom videoconference.

Zoom

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 4
|Sec19
Communication ProtocolNote

Courtroom Deputy publishes notice on docket with conference access information before case management conference.

Prior to the case management conference, the Courtroom Deputy will publish a notice on the case docket explaining how the conference will be conducted and provide access information for counsel.

Docket Notice

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 4
|Sec19
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Remote participants are prohibited from photographing, recording, or rebroadcasting court proceedings.

Persons granted remote access to court proceedings by Zoom teleconference or telephone are strictly prohibited from photographing, including “screen-shots,” recording, and rebroadcasting the court proceeding.

Zoom

Direct to: Chambers

Prohibited
  • Prohibited Activities
  • Status Inquiries
Page 4
|Sec20
Pre-Motion ProcedureMandatory

Discovery disputes require joint letter (max 5 pages) after good faith effort.

Discovery disputes should be brought to the Court’s attention as early as possible. If the parties cannot resolve their discovery dispute after a good faith effort, they shall prepare and file a joint letter of no longer than five pages stating the nature and status of their dispute.

Pre-Motion Conference

A pre-motion conference is mandatory before filing. You must submit a letter first.

Letter Requirements

Status
Required
Max Length5 pgs
Page 5
|SecDISCOVERY DISPUTES
Format RequirementNote

Westlaw citations preferred for unpublished cases; if unavailable, include case number, court name, and exact date.

If either party cites to an unpublished case, the Court generally prefers Westlaw citations. If the Westlaw citation cannot be provided, the party should include the case number, court name, and exact date of publication in the citation.

Applies When:Document Type Set Undefined
Page 6
|SecCITATIONS
Courtesy CopyMandatory

Chambers copies required for non-pro se litigants; must be double-sided, three-hole punched, tabbed for declarations/exhibits, and bound if over 25 pages.

Except for pro se litigants, parties are required to provide one set of paper chambers copies of all electronically filed documents, including the opening, opposition, and reply briefs and any supporting declarations and exhibits. All copies must be double-sided and three-hole punched at the left-hand side. Chambers copies containing declarations and exhibits must be separated by tabbed dividers. Any chambers copies, including declarations and exhibits, that are more than 25 pages must be in a binder.

Courtesy Copies Required

When: Role Based
Logistics
Quantity1 Copy
TimingWithin 24 Hours
MethodHand Delivery
Appearance
BindingThree Hole Punch
Double SidedYes
Page 6
|SecFILING AND COURTESY COPIES
Communication ProtocolNote

Patent disclosure disputes and amendment/strike requests are typically referred to Magistrate Judge.

Any dispute regarding any party’s patent disclosures pursuant to Patent Local Rules 3-1 to 3-5 typically is referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. Requests to amend or strike a party’s infringement contentions or invalidity contentions are likewise typically referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecREFERRAL TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Communication ProtocolNote

All hearings and appearances will be held in Courtroom 9, 19th Floor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco.

All hearings and appearances will be held in Courtroom 9 on the 19th Floor of the United States Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 2
|SecCLAIM CONSTRUCTION HEARING
Communication ProtocolNote

Court may appoint neutral expert if technology assistance is deemed helpful.

Depending on the technology involved, the Court may determine that the assistance of a neutral expert would be helpful. In that case, the Court may direct the parties to confer and, if

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 2
|SecCLAIM CONSTRUCTION HEARING